Shannon ~ Failure In Neutrality, Failure For Human Rights.

In January 2014, Ireland saw the jailing of 79 year old peace activist Margaretta D'arcy. It is part of the ongoing battle by the Irish people for Ireland's neutrality; against US military use of Shannon Airport.

Acting against war has never been the most victorious pursuit. Governments brush aside protestors and portray them as radical free spirited trouble makers. Yet the people shouting for peace are more often than not the same people who care for their communities and look out for the future of their children and their country. Shannon airport and the question, or non-question, of Ireland’s neutrality in relation to the facilitation of war has revealed a government at odds with an electorate staunchly taking the side of peace and Irish neutrality. One lady has brought the issue of neutrality to the forefront of the Irish media in her efforts to hold the Irish government accountable for its facilitation of US military transit flights through Shannon. Margaretta D’arcy, who is a life-long peace activist, and another peace activist Naill Farrell breached the security fence at Shannon Airport in October of 2012 in protest. She received a 3 month prison sentence, which she is currently serving in the woefully overcrowded Mountjoy Prison. Speaking to ‘Shannonwatch’ members John Lannon and Edward Horgan while in prison, she told them the Irish State has ‘a responsibility to ensure the proper use of the airport and to protect it against security threats.

"The fact that Niall Farrell and I could walk out onto the runway at Shannon demonstrates that it is not secure." said Ms D'Arcy. "The military use of the airport presents grave risks to the people in the airport or living nearby, as well as being in contravention of international laws and against the wishes of the majority of Irish people".

While politicians cite the breaking of laws during these protests, which are a frequent occurrence at Shannon, there has been no concrete statements or progress by the government in addressing the worries of the Irish electorate concerning US military use of the airport. Omni Air International still flies US troops through Shannon on a daily basis en route to conflict zones in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

But unfortunately this isn't the first time Shannon has been washed in controversy. It has been a transit point for CIA flights involved in ' extraordinary rendition' - up to 50 flights in all according to research by Amnesty International who campaigned strongly against rendition in Ireland and abroad. Amnesty International Ireland Executive Director Colm O'Gorman stated in early 2013"It is undeniable that the Irish Government knew rendition flights transited Ireland and that they knew this breached the legally binding international convention on torture. Yet they did nothing."“Official Ireland was prepared to ignore our role in kidnap and torture for the sake of maintaining good relations with the United States government."We have repeatedly called for an independent investigation into the use of Shannon airport. This investigation must also make clear who knew that we were complicit in torture and why they failed to act."In 2011, the UN Committee against Torture also criticized Ireland and demanded an investigation into its role in facilitating rendition flights.Taking a closer look at rendition reveals a litany of inhuman and violent treatment of innocents as part of the United States 'war against terror'. Many individuals were kidnapped and detained for months or longer without charge or reason given. One such rendition flight which touched down in Shannon on its way east involved the case of Khaled el-Masri, a German car salesman who was holidaying in Macedonia and ended up in an American run Afghan prison. He endured torture upon abduction in Macedonia and in transit to and from Afghanistan. University of Kent's 'Rendition research' project outlined Khaled's experience in depth, as well providing a flight map of the flights involved in his kidnapping. Note that Shannon airport features in other victim accounts on the website also.

The below account of Khaled El Masri's experience is taken from http://www.therenditionproject.org.uk:

'Khaled el-Masri's account of his rendition from Macedonia to Afghanistan

“I was taken out of the vehicle and made to sit down on a chair, where I sat for about another one and a half hours. At this point, I heard the voice of the assistant who had come to see me with the high-ranking official. I was told that I would soon be taken into a room for a medical examination before being returned to Germany. As I was led into this room, I felt two people violently grab my arms, one from the right side and the other from the left. They bent both my arms backwards. This violent motion caused me a lot of pain. I was beaten severely from all sides. I then felt someone else grab my head with both hands so I was unable to move. Others sliced my clothes off.” '

It is now up to the Irish Government to face the reality of human rights abuses, the misery war activity brings and Ireland's connection to both.Margaretta D’arcy is due for release on the 22nd of March 2014.

You can follow the work of Margaretta D'ary and the other peace activists trying get accountability and honest neutrality for Ireland at these links: